Thailand!!

Finally they are here! Some pictures from our trip to Thailand last week over Chinese New Year. We left on Saturday night (Jan 28th) and flew to Bangkok. We opted for the cheapest accomodation choice for that night... sleeping on the chairs in the airport - oh so comfy! The next morning we caught our internal flight out to Koh Samui (one of the biggest islands in Thailand). Once in Koh Samui, we had to take a boat across to Koh Phangan, which took about an hour. Our friends Tom and Grainne had been before and recommended a lovely resort on the north part of the island... Baan Panburi Village. Oh my!!! Deliciously gorgeous and right on the beach, we loved it!

Most of the week was spent lounging around on the beach, swimming, reading books, playing cards and Scrabble, getting Thai massages and eating lovely Thai food. Can't complain about that now can we???

We did eventually get off our butts and out of our hammock on the last day we were there, and took a bumpy "taxi" ride over to the north eastern side of Koh Phangan island. We went to Mae Had beach right near Koh Ma (a very small island that has great snorkeling and diving spots!) and spent the day there.

The most eventful part of our trip came when we decided to take a boat back to our beach, instead of the taxi along the road. We got in the boat each with an icecream in hand, and settled back for a nice little ride. But the ocean had other plans for us.... after about 30 minutes on the water, we suddenly realised how big the waves were getting (please bear in mind that we were in a very little Thai taxi boat with only a small engine to keep us going). But we trusted the old boat man so didn't think too much of it. After another 5 minutes though, we did start to get worried as the waves were getting bigger and bigger and the man driving the boat had started muttering to himself and looked nervous! Yikes! By now I was feeling really scared and a bit sea sick!! Luckily though, it all turned out ok, as the man turned the boat around and headed back the way we came saying "safety first"! Thank goodness for that! Once we got back to Mae Had beach the man got us in his truck and drove us back to Baan Panburi.

And then the next day the horrible moment of having to leave was upon us... we headed back to Koh Samui for one night and got on our flight back to Bangkok the next morning at 6am! We arrived back in Taiwan on Saturday (Feb 4th) night. And that was that.

Here's me trying to find the way to the internal flight departure zone in Bangkok.


We've arrived in Koh Samui!


Martin waiting for our luggage - the most rustic looking terminal I've ever been too.


In the taxi on the way to our boat from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan.


And here I am on the boat.


This was our little hut for the week, simple and gorgeous!


The view from our hut to the beach... only 10 seconds away!


Me on the stoep of our hut, first day we arrived.


The restaurant was right on the beach front.


This little puppy stole most of the tourists' hearts!


First day... we hit the beach!


Coconuts were all around...


Our first dinner at the restaurant.


I think Martin's getting a little too involved in the book he's reading ("Memoirs of a Geisha")


The hammock we bought and hung up outside our hut.


This is how I wooed Martin!!


My banana pancake breakfast takes on another form...


This morning we arose early and got a swim in before breakfast.


How I love the beach...


Martin's skin is now silky smooth and smells of aloe.


Our restaurant at night.


And then one day it rained....


Clouds rolling in...


Chairs stacked outside.


Rainy palm leaves.


What do you do when it rains??? Get a Thai massage! This is the view from the massage house... nice!


We got bored...


And then a bit silly...


Last day of adventures and we're off in a truck to Koh Ma Island. (Most of the roads were much worse than this dirt track)


Martin shows off the island's foliage on the way...


Cool sky.


Bobbing around on the back of the truck.


Martin in front of Koh Ma Island.


Thai man on the front of the boat which caused all the trouble!


Martin braves the splashing waves for this picture!


Hey Tom - recognise this hat???


Almost home time and Martin is waiting for our Catamaran back to Koh Samui.


I'm getting in lots of practice for our future backpacking trip around China!!


Local fishermen leaving the docks.


We did this a lot... our last night on Koh Samui Island.


Big Buddha Apartments - we walked from here to the airport the next morning at 6am.